Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) hits lower rail of channel
The materials sector has lagged most of the other sectors so far in 2019 and for the past year. The Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLB) is up 13.23% so far in 2019, but that places it in seventh place among the 10 select sectors SPDR ETFs. The tech sector has experienced a gain of 27.2% so far this year and that is the top performance of the group.
Even though it has lagged so far this year, the XLB could be ready to make up some ground on the other sectors. The fund pulled back a little over the last few weeks, but that brought it down to the lower rail of an upwardly sloping trend channel. That lower rail is just above the 50-day moving average, giving the ETF two layers of support.
The daily stochastic readings for the XLB moved down close to oversold territory and appear to be turning higher now. The last time the indicators were this low was at the end of December when the fund jumped by over 10% within a matter of weeks. The stochastics did make a bullish crossover on April 29.
The Tickeron AI Trend Prediction tool generated a bullish signal for the XLB on April 26 and that signal showed a confidence level of 87%. The signal calls for a gain of at least 4% over the coming month and 85% of previous predictions on the ETF have been successful.
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XLB's RSI Oscillator recovers from oversold territory
The RSI Oscillator for XLB moved out of oversold territory on October 02, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 29 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In 29 of the 29 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 50 of 62 cases where XLB's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 81%.
Following a +1.98% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where XLB advanced for three days, in 284 of 339 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 84%.
XLB may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on September 04, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on XLB as a result. In 63 of 82 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 77%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for XLB turned negative on August 31, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 50 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 41 of the 50 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 82%.
XLB moved below its 50-day moving average on September 09, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for XLB crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 15, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 17 of 19 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 89%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where XLB declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 83%.
The Aroon Indicator for XLB entered a downward trend on October 05, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
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